Woman's Club of Lodi By Ralph Lea and Christi Kennedy - Lodi News-Sentinel (Summary)
In 1906, Lodi became incorporated as an official city and could make local laws, levy taxes, provide police and fire protection, pave streets, and maintain water and sewage systems. At this time, Lodi had 2,000 citizens, and the time was right to work for civic improvements.
That year, 28 ladies gathered in the Methodist Church building and formed the Ladies Improvement Club. The club membership proclaimed its purpose was to assist in the progress and betterment of Lodi.
Emma Witte Humphrey was elected to be the first president and served until 1909. In the beginning, the women met in each other's homes. When membership increased, they met in the Odd Fellows Hall on Sacramento and Elm streets, the Davis Hall on Pine Street and the small City Hall building on North Sacramento Street. Later, they met in the Eagles Club hall at the corner of Sacramento and Locust streets.
In 1913, the club's name was changed to the "Woman's Club of Lodi." The club had 65 members. Dues were $2. Club leaders welcomed all women to join and help carry on the club's goal to stimulate intellectual and civic development and to promote fellowship among members.
In 1915, members began planning their own clubhouse. They formed the Lodi Woman's Building Association, Inc. and sold shares. The corporation had 10,000 shares of stock offered at $5 each. The association's officers were Mrs. John Montgomery, president; Mrs. Wilson B. Thompson, vice president; Mrs. Freeman B. Mills, secretary; and Mrs. C. M. Ferdun, treasurer.
On March 29, 1915, the Woman's Club of Lodi bought the building site. The lot, just a short distance west of the new library building, was at the northeast corner of Lee Avenue and Pine Street. The club bought the lot for $10 in gold from B. W. and Nellie Thayer.
Nothing substantive happened for the next five years. Ambitious building plans must have been put off while Lodi endured food rationing and bond drives, men going off to fight in World War I and then the deadly Spanish flu outbreak. Finally, in April 1920 the club was ready to proceed with the building and fund-raising campaign.
In March 1922, the colonial-style building's cornerstone was laid. R. Melville directed the construction and installation of the four tall exterior columns. Jules Perrin did concrete wall and exterior work. Nathan and Dohrman supplied the kitchen, and the furnishings came from John Breuner Company. J. F. Loftus was the painter who applied the light French gray color scheme to the main auditorium and balcony. The auditorium was the largest in Lodi at the time. When completed, the total cost of the structure and lot was $51,000.
The clubhouse, now listed with the state and federal registry of historical places, is still a grand showpiece on Pine Street and continues to be used for weddings, card parties and other social gatherings.
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